Vicar's update 9th February

Lent begins in a few days’ time on Ash Wednesday. We have two services (9.30am and 8pm) to mark this important day and I encourage you to come. Lent is a time when we can all grow in our Christian faith. This may take different forms – giving something up to strengthen our resolve, taking something on to stretch our faith, reading a Lent book, praying or reading the Bible more frequently etc. Whatever you do, I pray that you will grow closer to Jesus.

On Saturday morning at 9am we have our regular Men's Breakfast. The speaker is Steve Hartnoll a former London taxi driver, pub landlord, and CAP centre manager, talking about his journey to faith, and how his faith impacts his life today. If you haven't yet signed up just let Andrew Dand know (curate@ststephens-ealing.org) - donations on the day to cover the cost of breakfast.

At a recent meeting of the Church Council we talked about mission and outreach and decided not to hold our regular Community Fete this summer. Instead we are planning to have a series of more targeted outreach events including music in the park where we can bring our own picnic, a tea for older people, a summer holiday club for children and perhaps more. Watch this space for more details.

Our fortnightly celebration Open to God continues to be a place of encouragement and growth. As we explore and try out the Spiritual Gifts, God is doing some surprising things among us. Our next meeting is 7.30pm on Sunday 21st February when we will be thinking about and praying for healing. Around 30 people are coming along each time, if you haven’t been yet why not join us?